The Summer of Riesling Part Fünf

Summer of Riesling is a dedication to the acidic grape that thrives all over the world.  James Beard award winner Paul Grieco is the mastermind behind the 94-day event that kicks off tomorrow at 5pm at Hearth and all Terroir locations and runs through September 21st.

The festivities aim to educate the public on the diversity of the noble grape.  It will honor Riesling making regions such as Alsace, Finger Lakes, and Austria, with a seperate 31 Days of German Riesling dedicated to the country "where cultivation of the grape took place with the greatest focus historically."

The obsession with Riesling started in 2008, when Terroir Wine Bar opened in the East Village and only poured Riesling by the glass as their white wine option.  With over 30 choices, Terroir proved to be a Riesling library whose choices all showcased the grape's versatility.  In addition to the glass pours, Terroir was stocked with an additional 100 Rieslings from different producers in their cellar.  Their committment since has only grown.

If you take part in the event, you'll walk away with (fake) riesling tattoo's, shirts, buttons and "more Riesling info than Lady Gaga can store in her meat dress."

Maybe Bryan Adams should do a remix for the occasion: "I got my first real Riesling..."